DREAM Project to Improve Respite Care for People with Dementia

A Tasmanian-led national training program designed to improve respite care for people living with dementia has received $8 million in federal funding. 

The University of Tasmania’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre was awarded the funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to develop the DREAM project.

The Dementia Respite Education and Mentoring (DREAM) project will deliver education and training to improve aged care provider capability in delivering quality respite care for people living with dementia, including successful transitions in and out of their respite services.

The $8 million in funding will deliver an integrated program of online learning and professional development, as well as providing face-to-face mentorship across the country in collaboration with national provider Dementia Support Australia. 

DREAM aims to improve the quality of care and quality of life for people with dementia, and those who provide care to people with dementia. 

Distinguished Professor James Vickers, Director of the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, said the purpose of DREAM was to improve the quality of life for people with dementia accessing respite services.

“This funding will allow us to increase the skills and capacity of staff working in respite care to provide person-centred care, improve the respite care experience for those accessing it and empower carers with knowledge and skills to support care at home and maintain their own wellbeing,” he said. 

DREAM brings together the expertise of the University of Tasmania (Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre and School of Nursing) and Dementia Support Australia to provide support for growing and empowering the respite care workforce across Australia through: